After helping create ”Linsanity” in its earliest stages, Deron Williams was ready to show what he could do Monday night.
The veteran New Jersey point guard outplayed Jeremy Lin, leading New Jersey to a 100-92 victory over New York.
“This all started on me,” Williams told the Associated Press after of Lin and the Knicks. Lin had helped the Knicks win eight of nine coming into the game.
Williams erupted for a season-best 38 points, including eight 3-pointers, as he outscored Lin 36-11 through three quarters.
The New Jersey All-Star had noted some of Lin’s recent publicity and his early role in helping create it.
“I don’t really watch too many games, but I do see Twitter, people tweet me and every, you know, three lines it was Jeremy Lin destroyed Deron Williams,”’ said Williams, who singed the Knicks’ leaky defense for 16 points in the third quarter. “So I definitely took offense to that in the first game and definitely, like I said, I had it circled.”
Lin went for 21 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, but Williams had the stronger performance to exact a measure of revenge after the first game.
“Deron was on fire,” New Jersey coach Avery Johnson . “I told him even this morning, if you’ve got some looks at threes, just take them. We know you can make them, but just be aggressive, and if their point guard’s not on you, we’ll figure out a way to get him back on you, and we want you to attack.”
Williams’ big game catapulted him to the top of Monday’s Studs and Duds.
STUDS
New Jersey G Deron Williams: Went for 38 points on eight 3-pointers and produced six assists, four rebounds and was plus-12 in the Nets’ victory at New York.
Oklahoma City F Kevin Durant: Produced 31 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals and was plus-4 in the Thunder’s victory over New Orleans.
Houston G Kyle Lowry: Tallied 24 points, seven rebounds, nine assists, four steals and was plus-4 in the Rockets’ victory over Memphis.
San Antonio G Tony Parker: Produced 23 points and 11 assists — his third consecutive 20-10 game — along with six rebounds, three steals and was plus-4 in the Spurs’ victory at Utah.
Dallas F Dirk Nowitzki: Muscled for 26 points, 16 rebounds, two blocks and was a game-high plus-27 in the Mavericks’ victory over Boston.
Orlando C Dwight Howard: Notched 28 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, three steals and was plus-6 in the Magic’s victory at Milwaukee.
DUDS
New York F Carmelo Anthony: Struggled in his return to the lineup with 4-for-11 shooting, six turnovers and was minus-10 in the Knicks’ loss to New Jersey.
Minnesota G Ricky Rubio: Clanked through a 5-for-16 shooting night with five turnovers in the Timberwolves’ overtime loss to Denver.
Denver G Andre Miller: Missed all eight field-goal attempts and had four turnovers in the Nuggets’ overtime victory over Minnesota.
Washington G John Wall: Hit 4 of 11 from the field with four turnovers and was a game-worst minus-26 in the Wizards’ loss at Phoenix.
Denver C Timofey Mozgov: Went 2 for 5 from the field with four turnovers in 11 minutes and was a team-worst minus-17 in the Nuggets’ overtime victory over Minnesota.
New Orleans C Chris Kaman: Clanked through a 4-for-17 shooting night with three turnovers and was minus-14 to match the game low in the Hornets’ loss at Oklahoma City.
